Ear Infection in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
- Dr Simon Want BVM&S CertVD MRCVS RCVS
- May 28
- 7 min read
Ear infections in dogs can be uncomfortable and painful, just like they are in humans. Ear infections are usually secondary to a primary condition that causes inflammation in the ear, allergies are the most common cause of ear infections. We’ll help you spot the symptoms, get a diagnosis and discover what treatments are available.
In this article we’ll discuss:
Signs and Symptoms of an Ear Infection in Dogs
Symptoms of canine ear infections vary between mild and itchy to severe and painful, usually depending on how long the problem has been present, the nature of the infection and the underlying cause.
Mild symptoms include:
Scratching the ear or areas adjacent to the ear, such as the face or neck
Rubbing the ears or adjacent areas
Shaking the head
Pink or red skin associated with the ear flap and/or ear canal
A discharge from the ear - this may vary in colour and consistency but is often brown and moist or waxy - dogs should NOT normally have an ear discharge or waxy ears
Scratch marks on the ear
More severe symptoms include:
The ears may become very red or even black and thickened
The ear canals may become ulcerated leading to marked pain
Sensitive when ears touched or handled
The ear discharge may become more purulent and smell even worse
Behavioural changes may occur such as hiding away and becoming withdrawn or even snapping if the ears are handled
A red inflamed dog ear
A dog with discharge inside their ear
What Causes Ear Infections In Dogs?
There is no such thing as a primary ear infection in dogs. They all are secondary to something and have an underlying primary cause.
Allergies - the number one cause of ear infections
Environmental allergies - pollens and mites in the house or food
Food allergy
Foreign bodies
Grass seeds
Accumulations of wax and hairs
Parasites
Demodex mites
Ear mites
Hormonal diseases in older dogs
Cushing’s disease
Hypothyroidism
Other skin diseases e.g. Primary seborrhoea
Masses in the ear canal e.g. tumours - often requires laser surgery
Grass awn in a dog's ear canal seen using a video-otoscope
Demodex mites seen under a microscope
Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Recurring Ear Infections?
If your dog has a chronic ear problem, which fails to get better or keeps recurring, we need to investigate if your dog has any primary issues such as an allergy or parasite.
This will involve a consultation and examination of the ears. If we do not have parasites, a foreign body or a mass then the most common cause is an allergy. Often your dog will display other signs of itch and disease elsewhere on the body, such as their feet and legs, around the eyes, face, under the tail and the tummy. However, 25% of cases only present with ear disease.
The allergy causes itch and inflammation. The inflammation changes the local environment in the ears which leads to an increase in temperature and humidity. These local changes allow some normal yeast or bacteria to outcompete the other bacteria that are found naturally occurring in the ear canal. This leads to the secondary infection that gets in your dog’s ears.
Allergy
Inflammation and itch
Some bacteria or yeast doing better than others
Infection
Diagnosing Ear Infections in Dogs
During a consultation a vet or veterinary dermatologist will check your pet’s history - what is going on, is the problem recurrent and so on. Then you can expect a full skin exam followed by a detailed examination of the ears. To diagnose the nature of the infection a cotton bud swab will be used to collect a sample from the ear. This will then be rolled onto a microscope slide, stained and examined by your vet or dermatologist.
Looking at a sample under a microscope will show us if we have a yeast infection, usually a budding yeast called Malassezia, or a bacterial infection. The standard bacteria on dogs is round under the microscope and is called Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius – round-shaped bacteria.
Malassezia yeast from discharge in ears seen under a microscope.
If the ears are more severely affected they may have an infection which is caused by something that shouldn’t be found on a dog. The most common one is a little rod-shaped bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This often leads to ulceration of the ears, is painful and difficult to treat.
As these infections are often secondary to allergy, they are often recurrent. Managing expectations is always important.
“Allergy is not a life threatening disease, but is a lifelong disease. I can help you manage the condition but I can’t cure it.” Dr Simon Want BVM&S CertVD MRCVS
Treatment Options For Dog Ear Infections
Dog ear problems are complex and they can have a number of different causes leading to infections.
The treatment options depend on the type of infection, degree of inflammation and pain, the nature of the ear discharge and the underlying cause.
Common treatments include:
Ear cleaners - the ear cleaner should match the discharge and type of infection
Medicated ear drops - these may include topical steroids, antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs
Anti-inflammatory drugs +/- painkillers
Examination and cleaning of the ear under general anesthetic
Looking at the ear drum and checking for middle ear disease
Minor procedures
Removing foreign bodies
Taking samples from lumps, the outer ear and if necessary the middle ear
Removal of lumps - possibly using laser surgery
Investigation and treatment of underlying causes e.g. allergy investigation
How Long Does It Take For A Dog's Ear Infection To Heal With Treatment?
How long it takes for a dog’s ear infection to heal varies on what is causing the ear infection. If your dog has a foreign body in their ear, it can take a few days to a week to heal if there’s little damage. However if the infection is severe, penetrates the ear drum or there is a middle ear infection it can take many weeks for your dog’s ear to fully heal.
A “simple” allergic ear disease may take 1 to 2 weeks to heal whereas a severe infection with allergy can mean your dog needs multiple vet visits and weeks to get better, around 4 to 6 weeks on average.
For outer ear disease and middle ear disease you’re looking at at least 4 weeks and maybe longer for the ear to recover with treatment.
Home Care Instructions for Dealing with an Ear Infection
Your vet or dermatologist will need to take a holistic view of the nature of the ear disease and any underlying causes. Then a detailed treatment plan will be presented and agreed with you. As a minimum expect to clean your dog’s ears every 1 to 2 weeks.
Top tip: Start to handle your dog’s ears when they are a puppy. Get them used to being examined gently and with treats as a reward initially.
If you own a breed that is prone to allergy and/or ear disease it may be wise to clean their ears every month even if they appear normal. This may prevent your dog becoming fearful of having their ears examined and treated. Often the first time they are cleaned is when they are painful!
Follow your vet’s instructions and finish all medications. Remember to attend follow up appointments even if your dog’s ears look normal. We know ear disease is recurrent so treatment between flare ups helps to keep on top of the problem and may help prevent future flare ups.
Other home care options will depend on the underlying causes:
Cleaners
Topical steroid sprays
Anti-allergy drugs
Painkillers +/- corticosteroids for acute and severe ear disease
Immunotherapy for environmental allergies
Hypoallergenic foods for dogs with food allergy
Drugs for dogs with hormone problems
How To Prevent Your Dog Getting Ear Infections
Preventing your dog from getting an ear infection all depends on underlying causes. Regularly check your dog’s ears and attend regular appointments with your vet or dermatologist. Preventative treatment is required to STOP the ears becoming inflamed and then infected.
When To Take Your Dog To The Vet
Take your dog to a vet if they are scratching, rubbing or shaking their ears. If they seem painful or you notice changes in their behaviour. If the ear is red or you notice a discharge from the ear and/or smell you should also book an appointment.
Ear disease and ear infections in dogs need prompt treatment and are a sign of underlying problems.
Dog Ear Infection Frequently Asked Questions
When Is A Dog Ear Infection Considered An Emergency?
If you follow the advice of your vet, your dog’s ear problem should seldom turn into an emergency. However, if your dog is in pain you should seek veterinary help.
Which Dog Breeds Are Prone To Ear Infections?
Unfortunately there are many dog breeds that are prone to ear infections, mainly because many breeds are prone to allergies. These include, but are not limited to:
Labradors
Golden retrievers
French bulldogs
British bulldogs
Spaniels including Cocker spaniels
Cavalier King Charles spaniels
Cockerpoos
Cavapoos
Labradoodles
Golden doodles
West Highland white terriers
Border terriers
How Much Does Treatment For A Typical Canine Ear Infection Cost?
Treatment prices for ear infections in dogs can vary, however you can expect to pay:
Routine consults plus initial medication £100 to £250
Expect repeat visits and costs associated with each visit
Referral consultation £300
Blood work approximately £500
Intradermal allergy testing approximately £800 to £1000
Anaesthesia and video-otoscopic exam and treatment £900 to £2300 depending on severity and how often required
Sources and References:
Canine otitis externa - Treatment and complications. Bajwa J. Can Vet J. 2019 Jan;60(1):97-99.
Managing chronic & recurrent otitis externa in dogs. Tim Nuttal VetPractice Today
Written and Approved by:
Dr Simon Want BVM&S CertVD MRCVS
RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Dermatology
Director of Advanced Veterinary Dermatology Ltd
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